The Jay and Christie Kile Love House hosted tours on Sept. 19 as a way to celebrate Homecoming, after its Sept. 18 dedication. The house will act as a new space for community events as well as a place of residence for the Butler president and family.
The house was funded by a $4 million gift from trustee Jay Love and his wife Christie Kile Love, intended as a long-term fixture for the Butler community and its future presidents.
Senior healthcare and business major Jordyn Leininger was a tour guide during
Homecoming, and spoke about why she thinks the house is an important space to have on Butler’s campus.
“It allows for a greater sense of connection, not only with donor and alumni relations, but also for the students,” Leininger said. “There are some spaces specifically designed in this house with students in mind. It’s a place for the [whole] Butler community.”
The tour took visitors through several rooms on the first floor of the house, including the dining room, kitchen, expansive gathering areas and ADA-compliant restrooms.
The element of accessibility was one of the most emphasized features of the house, allowing for increased accommodation compared to the previous presidential residence.
President James Danko expressed his excitement at having a place that allows people from all walks of life to be able to gather in an email statement to The Butler Collegian.
“It is a place designed to bring people together, build relationships and advance Butler,” Danko stated. “We want this [house] to be a place where every member of the Butler community can participate fully and comfortably, and where students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, donors and friends of the University can come together in ways that simply were not possible in the previous residence.”
Adeline Vinson, a first-year middle/secondary education and Spanish double major, shared her excitement at the chance to get involved with creating connections on campus.
“The purpose of [the house] is to gather students and help students feel welcome and like they belong, because they do,” Adkinsen said. “I just wanted to help facilitate and cultivate that with people that are curious or don’t really know [about the new house].”
Danko noted that he and his wife, Bethanie, have not yet moved into the residential portion of the house and are prioritizing the focus on its initial operations as an event space.
The first public gathering that will be hosted at the new house will be the Dankos’ annual Halloween party.